PRX launches RadioPublic as “radio rethought” for mobile landscape

Radio distribution experts PRX have launched a new company that aims to reimagine audio for mobile devices. The first goal for RadioPublic will be to create a listening app focused on discovery and engagement with a range of audio types, including spoken-word stories, news, information, journalism, and entertainment. The public benefit corporation’s app is still in development, but will have a private beta on both iOS and Android.

Jake Shapiro, founding CEO for PRX, will be the top exec at the new entity. “We believe RadioPublic can be radio rethought,” he said of the new project. “Having billions of radios, essentially, in people’s pockets, is an enormous channel for distribution that is still, in many ways, up for grabs.”

PRX will still operate as a nonprofit centered on distribution and creation of radio and audio. Kerri Hoffman has been promoted from its COO to CEO.